Shopping for a gift just got a whole lot easier and much more enjoyable for the giver! New research shows liking a gift you are giving someone enough to purchase one for yourself is viewed very positively by the receiver and makes the giver happier. Who knew!

Matching Gifts!

“Research published this month in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin by Evan Polman, marketing professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Sam Maglio, marketing professor at the University of Toronto Scarborough, shows that gift recipients are happier with a present when the giver got themselves the same present.”

Every now and again I step out of my world to take stock of the things which are and the things I would like to see happen. With a perspective of my life’s timeline, the opportunities to accomplish, make a difference and leave a positive legacy are coming to a close. With sixty amazing years behind me, I still have so much I want to accomplish, many things to do and say, and always, I want to continue improving in all areas of my life.

As I was reading online, one article led to another, led to another and I found a post titled:

Okay, I’m game to see what more I can do to increase my own happiness potential and the happiness of those I touch each day.

Author Marc Chernoff has hit the nail on the head with each “thing.” It was like a report card of my life and how it’s lived, and I scored high marks. I want to celebrate, not only because I am truly happy deep down in my heart, but because I believe the things we do come from a place in our hearts that when plowed and nourished can only bring fruit.

If our soil is cleansed of weeds (unforgiveness, anger, bitterness), amply fertilized (what we read, see, hear, where we spend out time, who we spend our time with), have planted good seeds (how we invest our time and energies in the things we do and who we spend time with) and water our seeds (love, support, encouragement, kindness, and care), we will produce beautiful fruit in time. Like a farmer reaping a rich harvest, or a gardener who enjoys the beauty of a blossoming garden, the joy of hard work and much care will lead to happiness in life.

The continual renewal and nourishing of our hearts and spirits I have found to be the key to happiness. For me it is the daily reading of the Bible, meditating on the stories, advice and words of encouragement which have planted seeds of love, and have set my heart and mind in the right place from which all else from my life flows.

Feeling down? Thinking a lot about your own problems? Take some time each day to give something away and you will be a LOT Happier! That’s what recent research says according to Marla Jo Fisher, author of “Helping others will make you happy”, in the OC Register.

A 2007 study published by Science magazine found that people felt happier when they gave money to others than when they spent it on themselves. Researchers at Harvard University gave participants money and told half the subjects to spend it on themselves, the other half were to give it away to others. The people who gave their money away felt happier than those who bought something for themselves.

I love that giving it away caused them to feel HAPPIER!! As in they feel “more” happy than if they received something themselves. Amazing! [Read more…]

Welcome to “I’m Looking Fabulous’!

“I’m Looking Fabulous” is my place where I hope to share some of my wonderful findings along life’s journey that have helped me to look and feel more confident. Here, I will introduce you to some very special people who are passionate about making your life’s journey more beautiful, enjoyable and fulfilling!

Stay Fabulous

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Carleen McIlveen at the Spa

Click Carleen's picture above to listen to her interview about using Apriori Beauty products at the spa.

A Little About Candace

Candace Dye is an Apriori Beauty Consultant and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Her passion is helping others to uncover and enhance their true inner radiance with tips for health, wellness, skin care and beauty!